B.C. biofuel maker BioStreet Canada has made a “huge leap forward” on its planned biodiesel facility at Vegreville, Alta., by choosing its project engineer.
“We’re pleased to be moving forward with some momentum now,” said Darrell Michaels, president of the Kelowna company, in a release Wednesday.
The company has hired Trimark Engineering of Lethbridge for the project. “Engaging Trimark Engineering and then selecting the technology providers is a huge leap forward from 2007,” Michaels said.
Michaels said he spent “several weeks” in Alberta over the winter raising investments from producers to ensure the Vegreville project qualifies for funding under the federal ecoABC program. The company has already picked up $300,000 in federal funds through the Biodiesel Oppportunities for Producers Initiative (BOPI).
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Construction on the Vegreville project is expected to begin this year for completion in 2010. The plant is expected to produce 175 million litres of biodiesel per year, using 375,000 to 400,000 tonnes of canola, the company said.
“To keep ahead in the industry, we’re integrating long-term sustainability planning into our business model, which includes utilizing unique systems to handle our byproducts, as well as selecting the most energy efficient technologies feasible,” said BioStreet VP Angela Reid in the release. “We will design the plant with maximum flexibility and adaptability in mind.”
